Source: Laperriere's Possible Return Pushed Back
(from CSNPhilly.com)
By Tim Panaccio and Sarah Baicker
CSNPhilly.com
May 18, 2010 - Ian Laperriere was hoping to be back on the ice when the Flyers travel to Montreal for Games 3 and 4 on Wednesday.
Game 4 was the target date for Laperriere, according to one source.
After some talks within the organization on Tuesday, however, the timetable for both Laperriere and Jeff Carter (fractured right foot) has been moved back.
Neither will play before Game 5, sources told CSN's John Boruk.
"They don't need me," Laperriere said. "They've been playing really well, and I'm just getting myself back in shape just in case down the road they need me, I'll be ready."
The Flyers' tough guy, battling back from a concussion and brain contusion, participated in Tuesday's pregame skate.
"I feel the same as yesterday and the day before," Laperriere said. "I got better news yesterday, obviously, everybody knows that I saw the neurologist who said I can go with contact and everything. But to be in the lineup [tonight] would be stupid.
Laperriere again wore a full shield and oversized helmet Tuesday. When he does return to the lineup, he'll keep the shield.
"That's what the doctor said yesterday: we're clearing you for contact but you've got to wear a full shield," he said. "The helmet's a little bit bigger...but it gives me a chance to skate and be out there, that's all that matters."
Throughout his healing process, Laperriere's mantra has remained the same: He doesn't know when or if he'll return to game action, but he intends to do everything he can to be ready if called upon.
What has improved are his spirits. Nearly a month has passed since he was hit with a puck in Game 5 of the Eastern Conference quarterfinals in New Jersey, and for much of that time, he didn't know whether he would even be back on skates by now, let alone be facing a possible return.
"My morale is much better, I'm just happy to be with the boys this time of the year," Laperriere said. "You battle all year to be on that big stage. I might not be in a game yet, but I'm with the boys right now and working with them.
"We'll see what the future is going to hold for me, but right now it is for me to get in shape and go from there. If [coach Peter Laviolette] doesn't need me, that might be a great sign. That might mean that the team is doing really well and that's the ultimate goal for me: I want the team to do well. If Peter [Laviolette] feels like we're a better team with me in down the road, well, I'll be ready."
Teammate Scott Hartnell said Laperriere's return to the lineup would be a huge boost for the Flyers, whenever it does occur.
"He's a leader in this dressing room," Hartnell said. "Right from Day 1, since he's been here. He wants to win bad, he's an incredible shot-blocker, penalty-killer and battler out there. When he gets back, he'll be a force to be reckoned with, sure."
Andreas Nodl, who spent most of this season with the Adirondack Phantoms, has taken on a significant number of penalty-killing minutes in Laperriere's absence. But the 23-year-old said he didn't know how his role with the team would change if Laperriere returns.
"I have no idea," Nodl said. "I'm just trying to play every game like he does, and will see what happens. Whenever he's healthy, he'd be a huge boost to the lineup. That's pretty much how I see it."
Nodl said he has enjoyed getting experience on the penalty kill.
"I like it a lot," he said. "It kind of gives our team momentum if you kill it off. Blocking shots is always good - teammates see that you really care about the team. And I really pride myself on my penalty killing."
E-mail Tim Panaccio at tpanotch@comcast.net